Kd’s reopens as Legacy Grill, honors famous Oklahomans

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Just a week before Oklahoma was stunned by Kevin Durant's July Fourth announcement that he was leaving the Thunder to join the rival Golden State Warriors, he was meeting with restaurateur Hal Smith about opening a second “Kd's” southern eatery in his former college town of Austin, Texas.

For Smith, the sudden turn was more than a disappointment — it ended plans for the Austin restaurant and quickly triggered a relaunch with a new name and theme for the original Kd's in Lower Bricktown. That restaurant, Legacy Grill, opened Monday with an extensive display of photographs from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

“It was a shock,” Smith said. “I had been thinking about having a restaurant such as this that we could all be proud of. It reflects what makes Oklahoma great and what it is today.”

The photos and memorabilia represent more than 200 distinguished Oklahomans, from astronauts and actors, to civil rights activists and civic leaders, to sports stars and singers. Smith said plans also include booklets for guests that will provide a paragraph of information about each Oklahoman displayed at the restaurant.

“I can't think of a better ways to celebrate Oklahoma's great people,” said Shannon L. Rich, Oklahoma Hall of Fame president. “It's a great win for our community and our state.”

The Legacy Grill menu features diverse fare with favorites from Kd's including fried chicken, country fried steak and pan-seared lemon tilapia with shrimp. New options include a shrimp saute linguine, 14-ounce rib eye topped with mushrooms, a French dip sandwich and more. Smith said guest feedback has been factored into each decision.

The new menu, the rebranding and change in decor was done over 49 days. Smith paid employees to help with the transition. The restaurant will be open for dinner seven days a week, and for lunch Fridays through Sundays.

“We're excited about the opening of Legacy Grill — it's a great spot to bring an out-of-town guest, celebrate a special night out or enjoy a family dinner,” said Smith, the restaurant group's founder and CEO. “Our team has done a superb job recognizing the legacy of distinguished Oklahomans while still maintaining a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere that brings a great energy to the place.”